We
find that brides and people planning large, catered events fail to ask the most important question when talking to vendors.
Never ask: "How much does it cost?"
Always ask:
"How much do I need to write the check for?"
Let's explain what that means in the catering industry:
When pricing food buffets, be sure to ask if there is a service or mandatory gratuity fee. There are many expenses
in setting up a catered event so many (if not most) caterers charge a service fee to cover those misc. expenses that are incurred.
So be sure to ask what the price per person covers and what other fees there might be, so you can be sure you are staying
in your budget.
Another fee to ask about is a mandatory up-front gratuity fee....a $5,000 reception with a 20%
gratuity will add another $1000 to your bill, and you don't want to have to come up with this unexpected amount at the last
minute. An informed and educated bride rarely has last minute surprises!
Be aware that a service fee and a gratuity
are two different things.
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One of our brides pointed this one out to us. According to this caterer's website: - Price for the buffet is $14.95.
- Add 18% gratuity ($2.69)
- Add 20% service fee ($3.53)
- Add
6% delivery fee ($0.90)
- Under 100 guests? Add $2.00/person
- The REAL price for the
buffet? $24.07
So don't stop at the listed price
per person. Ask good questions and find out what ALL of the charges are, then ask the caterer to total it up so you will know
the actual price you are going to pay. 
